Continental GP4000S
I fitted my new GP4000S tyres last night, won't get to ride them until tomorrow though. Some observations:
- they're folded up! I'm used to hybrid tyres that are round when you buy them. They don't seem to want to sit in a circle either - I guess they will after they've been on the bike awhile - the Bontrager Race AW pluses I took off sit perfectly round handing up in the garage.
- The rubber is really sticky feeling. As sticky as racking slick tyres on cars. Much stickier than the oem tyres.
- They're easier to put on by hand than with tyre levers - they just sort of 'pop on'
- I remembered to get the logos lined up with the valve hole on the wheel
- The old tyres weighed 340g on the kitchen scales, the contis are 207g according to google
So I've saved weight, gained puncture resistance (according to common wisdom), gained grip (according to wisdom and by feel). Result all round
I'll be back to compare the differences after riding them.
- they're folded up! I'm used to hybrid tyres that are round when you buy them. They don't seem to want to sit in a circle either - I guess they will after they've been on the bike awhile - the Bontrager Race AW pluses I took off sit perfectly round handing up in the garage.
- The rubber is really sticky feeling. As sticky as racking slick tyres on cars. Much stickier than the oem tyres.
- They're easier to put on by hand than with tyre levers - they just sort of 'pop on'
- I remembered to get the logos lined up with the valve hole on the wheel
- The old tyres weighed 340g on the kitchen scales, the contis are 207g according to google
So I've saved weight, gained puncture resistance (according to common wisdom), gained grip (according to wisdom and by feel). Result all round
I'll be back to compare the differences after riding them.
2010 Trek 1.5 Road - swissstop green, conti GP4000S
2004 Marin Muirwoods Hybrid
2004 Marin Muirwoods Hybrid
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2004 Marin Muirwoods Hybrid
I was under the impression that they were very reliable? I certainly have never had any problems, then again I never had problems with the original ultremo's either!
On Strava.{/url}
A mate of mine said he'd paid less for car tyres! I had to admit that he had a point...
But they seem to be the majority opinion winner where puncture resistance and grip are important whilst still being light and feeling nice. That's why I got them
2004 Marin Muirwoods Hybrid
For Conti 4000S? Really? You pumping them up to 200psi or something?
PS They fold up because the bead (the bit that tucks inside the lip of the rim) is made from Kevlar not steel which generates a good bit of the weight saving you are seeing.
Enjoy
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My collection of Cols
I'm impressed!
I started suffering from puncture in the back tyre after about 3000 miles. Maybe it's cos I'm a fat censored .
On Strava.{/url}
WOW
Very happy
They're amazing compared to the old standard fit tyres:
- The ride is a noticeably better
- The grip is amazing! If a roundabout is clear I barely need to brake, before I slowed right down and was very nervous. Down the big descent on my route I used half the road I normally do on the corners and had loads of grip to spare.
- The FEEL of the tyres when you turn a tighter corner is AMAZING. I've done a fair bit of race track driving in a car so I'm used to getting the correct line through a corner. With the old tyres I'd turn in, not feel anything, get nervous and end up missing the apex by half the width of the road or more. With the GP4000S you just turn and they happily say 'certainly sir' and do EXACTLY what you asked.
- Hard to tell if it was the wind or not but they seemed to roll a fair bit better. I spent far more of my regular route than normal in that happy zone when you just fly along with seemingly no effort on the flat or up slight hills. Is that rolling resistance? lighter weight? who knows?!
So I'm very very happy. I've got a tyre that is noticeably better at everything, is claimed to be very good at puncture resistance and is lighter. OK it costs more but compared to the cost of the bike it's a huge upgrade for little money. Would a 105 groupset over my tiagra for an extra £100? £200? make the bike this much nicer?
2004 Marin Muirwoods Hybrid
Have you ridden Gatorskins on wet slippery roads?
I do use them on my winter bike because they are durable, but I am always war on fast descents, because they suddenly let go.
I've been using Pro Race 3s on my good bike which feel fantastic. In 2000 miles on Cumbrian roads I didn't get a puncture, but the back one is now completely shot and the front one is borderline. I've now gone back to GP4000s's as they function nearly as well, but last longer.
They can be got for £28 so prices have come down, if anything.
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/general/downloads/download/tourtest_gp4000s_en.pdf
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